Jack Russell, a local businessman, city commissioner, chairman of the Clearwater baseball committee, and former major league baseball pitcher, was integral in the construction of a new stadium in Clearwater and advocated building it to host the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training. In 1954, plans were drawn for the 4,744-seat stadium at a cost of $317,563, and the first game was played on March 10, 1955, when the Phillies defeated the Detroit Tigers, 4-2. Named in his honor, Jack Russell Memorial Stadium served as the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies from its opening in 1955 until 2004. During that period, the Phillies won the World Series in 1980, three National League pennants, and six National League East Division titles. The stadium was also home to the Clearwater Bombers men's fast pitch softball team, a 10-time Amateur Athletic Union world champion, and from 1985-2003 it served as home of the Clearwater Phillies Single-A minor league team. In 2018, a memorial park was constructed to recognize National Baseball Hall of Fame members who played at the stadium.